Your eyes are the first things people notice about you. But as you age, they may be obstructed by sagging upper eyelids, which can impair your vision.
Lower eyelids also begin to sag and accumulate excess skin, distracting from your eyes and giving you a tired look.
At McGuiness Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, we refresh the appearance of your eyes with an eyelid lift, also known as a blepharoplasty.
Near Frisco, patients come to us for a tailored approach that gives you a natural-looking, revitalized appearance.
Here’s what to expect from your blepharoplasty.
What is a Blepharoplasty?
A blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin, fat, or muscle from your upper and lower eyelids. It targets:
- Hooding of the upper eyelids
- Excess skin of the upper eyelids
- Obstructed vision
- Excess skin of the lower eyelids
- Bags under the eyes
These changes in your skin happen as your body produces less and less collagen and elastin, which are proteins that keep your skin firm and tight. Collagen provides your skin, muscles, and tissue with structure and strength, helping them maintain their form and resilience. Elastin gives your skin the ability to stretch and “snap back” to its original placement.
When your body produces fewer proteins, your skin and muscles become weaker. This leads to drooping and sagging in your upper and lower eyelids.
A blepharoplasty restores your eye contour, giving you a more refreshed and revitalized appearance.
Types of Blepharoplasty
We can remove excess skin and tissue in your upper eyelid (upper blepharoplasty) and lower eyelid (lower blepharoplasty). In some instances, patients may even benefit from both an upper and lower blepharoplasty near Frisco.
Upper Blepharoplasty
An upper blepharoplasty is more than a cosmetic procedure. For some patients, it provides functional benefits as well.
If the skin above your upper eyelid sags or hoods over your eyes, it can obstruct your field of vision. Our certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Natalie Barton, can reposition the underlying muscle and skin to both improve your vision and the look of your upper lids.
This surgery involves making an incision in the natural crease of your upper eyelid, so it isn’t noticeable when it heals. Dr. Barton’s technique allows her to carefully remove the excess skin and fat responsible for the drooping. She also adjusts the underlying muscle tissue to create a softer upper eyelid appearance before closing the incision.
Lower Blepharoplasty
Unlike an upper blepharoplasty, a lower blepharoplasty either removes or tightens the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A lower blepharoplasty also removes fat pads that cause under-eye bags, which often make you look older and more tired.
Dr. Barton performs this surgery either inside or just below your lower eyelid. Next, she removes and redistributes the excess fat to fill in hollow areas around your eyes before closing the incision.
A lower blepharoplasty near Frisco can improve the appearance of dark circles that result from skin hollowing. However, it is not for dark circles caused by hyperpigmentation due to genetics, allergies, or lifestyle choices. Fortunately, our dermatology center can offer products, treatments, advice, and guidance for brightening that area.
A Trusted Physician: Dr. Natalie Barton
If you want someone with an artistic eye who can produce beautiful and natural-looking outcomes for a blepharoplasty, then Dr. Natalie Barton is your perfect choice. As your local board-certified plastic surgeon, she has completed rigorous surgical training and passed extensive exams to earn her title and credentials.
Her training not only ensures lower complication rates than competing surgeons, but it also results in functional and beautiful outcomes for any surgery.
From your head to your toes, she makes sure that each surgery is tailored to the individual, taking into account your unique anatomy to produce natural-looking results. Using her eye for aesthetics and state-of-the-art techniques, she’s helping Texas residents feel more comfortable in their own skin with these cosmetic surgical procedures:
Face
Breast
- Breast augmentation
- Breast lift
- Breast reduction
Body
Dr. Barton believes in collaborating with you throughout the process to make sure that you have realistic expectations that you will love. She may also recommend surgeries that pair well with a blepharoplasty to boost your results.
Our Process at McGuiness Dermatology & Plastic Surgery
From start to finish, here’s what you can expect from a blepharoplasty near Frisco.
Consultation
Dr. Barton begins the consultation by listening intently as you explain why you’re interested in a blepharoplasty. This first discussion lasts 45 to 60 minutes as you two collaborate on your personalized treatment plan. To help you envision the outcome of your blepharoplasty, Dr. Barton shows you before and after photos from previous patients. They trusted her keen eye to deliver a softer and more refreshed appearance, and we hope you feel that way, too.
Dr. Barton also performs a physical examination, where she gently and respectfully assesses your facial anatomy, skin quality, and underlying structures. This evaluation allows her to tailor your blepharoplasty to your unique facial features.
Before you leave, Dr. Barton gives you the opportunity to ask any last-minute questions regarding a blepharoplasty. By the time you walk out of our doors, you should feel prepared, excited, and educated about the surgery.
Candidacy
If you’re at least 30 years of age and healthy, you are a good candidate for this surgery.
However, Dr. Barton will determine that you are not a good candidate for a blepharoplasty if you have one of the following conditions:
- Eye disease
- Dry eyes
- Thyroid disorders
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
If surgery isn’t an option, we may suggest nonsurgical treatments to improve the skin around your eyes. Ask Dr. Barton about Emface facial contouring.
Financial Planning and Scheduling
After your consultation with Dr. Barton, you speak with another member of our team about your options for payment. This includes a detailed quote for the procedure so you understand exactly what you’re paying for.
At McGuiness, we offer financing options for a blepharoplasty near Frisco. We partner with Cherry, a healthcare credit card that allows you to enroll in a manageable payment plan.
Pre-Surgery Instructions
For best results, please follow these instructions leading up to your blepharoplasty.
- Avoid nicotine for at least 4 weeks prior to surgery.
- Avoid blood-thinning medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium at least 2 weeks before surgery.
- Arrange for a ride to pick you up after your surgery.
Pre-Operative Appointment ⏳
Before your surgery, we ask that you meet Dr. Barton for a pre-operative appointment. This allows Dr. Barton to make sure you are both on the same page regarding your blepharoplasty.
During this visit, Dr. Barton reviews your goals, the surgery’s process, and answers any final questions. She also confirms that you’ve followed pre-surgery instructions and may postpone surgery if you’ve recently smoked.
Surgery
We start your surgery by administering local or general anesthesia, depending on whether Dr. Barton is performing an upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, or a combination.
Dr. Barton makes precise incisions that are easily concealed by your eyelash line. She removes and repositions excess skin and fat deposits, taking your facial anatomy into consideration. She finishes by closing the incisions.
A blepharoplasty near Frisco takes 1 to 2 hours, after which you can return home as long as you have secured a ride.
Postoperative Instructions ⌛️
After your blepharoplasty, Dr. Barton provides medication for swelling, bruising, irritation, dry eyes, and discomfort.
For the next 1 to 2 weeks, we ask that you sleep or lie down with your head elevated to reduce swelling. Please also avoid:
- Strenuous activity
- Smoking
- Rubbing your eyes
- Wearing contact lenses
- Taking blood-thinning medications
Results
Your results may be obscured for the first week after your blepharoplasty as swelling and bruising subside. However, over the course of several weeks, you’ll notice a gradual improvement in the appearance of your eyes. You’ll notice smoother skin and more definition surrounding your eye, giving you a rejuvenated appearance that looks like you, only younger.
Results Duration
The duration of results from your blepharoplasty near Frisco depends on whether we treated the upper eyelid or lower eyelid.
Upper Blepharoplasty
Results for an upper blepharoplasty can last up to 10 years with a good skincare routine and healthy lifestyle habits.
Dr. Barton believes that skin health is essential for aging gracefully and prolonging your results. She can give you guidance to maintain your blepharoplasty, helping you decide which skin care products to use.
We also offer non-surgical procedures like laser skin resurfacing; injectables, like Botox and fillers; and microneedling, which can boost your results.
Lower Blepharoplasty
A lower blepharoplasty usually provides permanent results for you to enjoy for life! Of course, a healthy lifestyle and dedicated skin care routine also help to keep you looking refreshed and revitalized.
Revitalize Your Eyes
If sagging and drooping eyelids are obscuring your eyes and vision, it’s time to visit Dr. Barton. With her tailored and thoughtful approach, you can open the blinds. For natural, beautiful, and ageless results, trust our board-certified plastic surgeon.
To get started, you can request a consultation.
Alternatively, you can try our treatment planning tool. This allows you to streamline the process.
